Pemba is Zanzibar’s quieter, less-visited neighbour, sitting to the north in the Indian Ocean and offering a more secluded and authentic island experience. For those seeking something off the beaten path, Pemba is a true hidden gem.

Beach & Water:Pemba’s waters are widely regarded as some of the best diving in the entire Indian Ocean. The island is surrounded by a dramatic underwater wall — a near-vertical coral drop-off teeming with pelagic fish, sharks, rays, and extraordinary coral formations. Above the water, the beaches are unspoiled and uncrowded, fringed by dense vegetation and lapped by crystal-clear sea.

Landscape & Nature:Pemba’s landscape is strikingly different from Zanzibar’s — deeply rural, hilly, and intensely green, earning it the nickname the Green Island. Dense clove plantations cover much of the interior, interspersed with forest, mangroves, and small fishing villages. The island has a raw, unhurried beauty that feels worlds away from more touristed destinations.

Known For:Pemba is known above all for its exceptional diving, attracting serious divers from around the world who come specifically for the dramatic walls, strong currents, and thriving marine biodiversity. It is also known for its clove production — Pemba is one of the world’s largest producers — and for offering one of East Africa’s most genuinely off-the-beaten-path island experiences.

Cultural Heritage:Pemba has a deep and distinctive cultural identity, with strong Swahili roots and a long history of trade with the Arab world. The island is known throughout the region for its traditional practices and has long held a reputation as a centre of Swahili spiritual tradition. Local life revolves around fishing, farming, and close-knit community, and visitors who take the time to explore the island’s villages gain a rare and authentic insight into a way of life little changed by modern tourism.